Blind and Visually Impaired Community
↑
6
↓
Woke up partially blind in one eye. Anything I should know? (self.Blind)
submitted by m0pman
I woke up partially blind in my left eye less than 48 hours ago, and after spending most of that in ER rooms and specialist offices, it's pretty much been a "That sucks, was probably going to happen eventually, good luck" kinda deal. (Artery behind my optic nerve twisted during my sleep causing a clot)
I know it could be way worse and I've only lost 60-70% of my vision in my left eye, but it's still kind of shell shocked to have all that happen in such a short timespan and be told there's nothing they can do about it, unfortunately.
The doctor said it's a 1/3rd get better, 1/3rd get worse, 1/3rd stay the same kind of deal, and my right eye is a 5% chance of it happening.
I'm not trying to be a mopey asshole because I know a lot of other people have it way worse than me, but it's just been a lot to take in, in such a short period. Especially with so many variables in play still.
Is there anything I should know? Like, "Hey man, don't forget to twist your neck extra far when crossing the road" or "Say goodbye to 3D movies" etc?
Any advice is appreciated!
I know it could be way worse and I've only lost 60-70% of my vision in my left eye, but it's still kind of shell shocked to have all that happen in such a short timespan and be told there's nothing they can do about it, unfortunately.
The doctor said it's a 1/3rd get better, 1/3rd get worse, 1/3rd stay the same kind of deal, and my right eye is a 5% chance of it happening.
I'm not trying to be a mopey asshole because I know a lot of other people have it way worse than me, but it's just been a lot to take in, in such a short period. Especially with so many variables in play still.
Is there anything I should know? Like, "Hey man, don't forget to twist your neck extra far when crossing the road" or "Say goodbye to 3D movies" etc?
Any advice is appreciated!
KillerLag 7 points 6y ago
Because it happened only recently, the conditions may change (as you mentioned, 1/3 chance of getting better, 1/3 worse, etc). Your primary goal should be to find out if anything can be done to reduce the chances of it happening to the other eye or getting worse (treatments such as blood thinners, etc).
It also depends on whether you have lost peripheral (side) vision or accuity (fine central vision). If you have lost peripheral vision, you will need to turn your head a bit more to see the lost area. For lost accuity, the other eye will often compensate and pick up most of the slack. You may find some issues with depth perceptions (especially low contrast situations, such as outdoor stairs or dim stairwells), so you may want to consider an ID cane if you find that is an issue. Depending on how much your left eye can see, you may actually still be able to see 3D movies, but there will be lots of factors.
It also depends on whether you have lost peripheral (side) vision or accuity (fine central vision). If you have lost peripheral vision, you will need to turn your head a bit more to see the lost area. For lost accuity, the other eye will often compensate and pick up most of the slack. You may find some issues with depth perceptions (especially low contrast situations, such as outdoor stairs or dim stairwells), so you may want to consider an ID cane if you find that is an issue. Depending on how much your left eye can see, you may actually still be able to see 3D movies, but there will be lots of factors.
m0pman [OP] 1 points 6y ago
Thank you very much.
Ive got to wait a week to go back and see a specialist, and they were talking about starting me on blood thinners to see what happens.
I've kind of lost a bit of both. Mostly my central vision, but peripherals are far more blurry then they used to be.
I'll keep all that in mind, thanks :)
Ive got to wait a week to go back and see a specialist, and they were talking about starting me on blood thinners to see what happens.
I've kind of lost a bit of both. Mostly my central vision, but peripherals are far more blurry then they used to be.
I'll keep all that in mind, thanks :)
KillerLag 1 points 6y ago
Good luck with the treatment! When taking the blood thinners, take a bit more care about corners and other obstacles you can clip. Even a minor bruise becomes MASSIVE with blood thinners.
m0pman [OP] 1 points 6y ago
Apparently the way the clot happened, the blood thinners will make me lose my vision in that eye while im on them, so i'll probably be staying at home anyway haha. I'll keep it in mind though!
1ird 1 points 6y ago
My vision has gotten worse over the past year. Stairs are my worst enemy.
KillerLag 2 points 6y ago
ID canes can be useful, when someone doesn't need a cane constantly but only on some occassions. ID canes are good for stairs and street crossings.
Another thing that can be helpful is putting some sort of high contrast markings on the edges of the steps. If the steps are dark, white or bright yellow is good. If they are light, dark colours are good. Helps to make the individual steps stand out.
Another thing that can be helpful is putting some sort of high contrast markings on the edges of the steps. If the steps are dark, white or bright yellow is good. If they are light, dark colours are good. Helps to make the individual steps stand out.
1ird 1 points 6y ago
While my vision is not so bad I need a cane yet, that might come in handy in the future. I tend to feel with my feet while going down stairs that I'm unfamiliar with.
[deleted] 3 points 6y ago
[deleted]
B-dub31 1 points 6y ago
I had a mini stroke last year that left me pretty much blind in my left eye because of optic nerve atrophy. I went to the ER and my family doctor twice and it was never diagnosed until I saw an opthomologist. My cholesterol and triglycerides were good, so I didn't fit the profile because I'm 38. This year I had another event that damaged my right optic nerve, leaving me legally blind. I found out later than I have a genetic condition called Protein S Deficiency which causes abnormal blood clotting. You may want to see a hemotologist to check for clotting disorders.
My suggestion is to find a good opthomologist who specializes in advanced care and start seeing them regularly, to document the damage to your left eye and to closely check your right eye. If you have any related conditions like hypertension, sleep apnea, cholesterol issues, etc., start addressing them to reduce the risk to your right eye.
Your case sounds nearly identical to mine. I did all the things above except find out about the clotting disorder before my right optic nerve got damaged. Had I been on blood thinners (I was taking Aspirin), my right eye might not be so messed up. Find a doctor who will help you get down to the underlying problem. Maybe it was a twisted artery, but maybe it's something undiagnosed.
KillerLag offers great advice. And if you drive, please be careful! I drove for almost a year with one eye and you don't realize how often you glance at your sideview mirror with your left eye until you can't do it any longer. It's particularly hard when you have traffic merging from the left and right, like certain interstate exchanges. It's hard, but you'll retrain yourself in time. I pray that you'll be in the lucky third that gets some sight back!
My suggestion is to find a good opthomologist who specializes in advanced care and start seeing them regularly, to document the damage to your left eye and to closely check your right eye. If you have any related conditions like hypertension, sleep apnea, cholesterol issues, etc., start addressing them to reduce the risk to your right eye.
Your case sounds nearly identical to mine. I did all the things above except find out about the clotting disorder before my right optic nerve got damaged. Had I been on blood thinners (I was taking Aspirin), my right eye might not be so messed up. Find a doctor who will help you get down to the underlying problem. Maybe it was a twisted artery, but maybe it's something undiagnosed.
KillerLag offers great advice. And if you drive, please be careful! I drove for almost a year with one eye and you don't realize how often you glance at your sideview mirror with your left eye until you can't do it any longer. It's particularly hard when you have traffic merging from the left and right, like certain interstate exchanges. It's hard, but you'll retrain yourself in time. I pray that you'll be in the lucky third that gets some sight back!
m0pman [OP] 2 points 6y ago
Yeah it sounds kinda similar, minus the stroke. At least, I dont think I had a stroke. My blood pressure was up a tiny amount, but that was about it.
The specialist I saw said that the artery behind my optic nerve had twisted, causing a clot. They're running blood tests this week on a range of stuff, but I'm absolutely going to go see a hemotologist as well now to get that checked off.
Thanks for the advice, I honestly hadn't given much thought to the underlying problem so much as "bad luck happens", but it's something i'll investigate now.
Still being optimistic, but i'm trying to work on my depth perception and stuff now anyway! Get that back to working order first.
The specialist I saw said that the artery behind my optic nerve had twisted, causing a clot. They're running blood tests this week on a range of stuff, but I'm absolutely going to go see a hemotologist as well now to get that checked off.
Thanks for the advice, I honestly hadn't given much thought to the underlying problem so much as "bad luck happens", but it's something i'll investigate now.
Still being optimistic, but i'm trying to work on my depth perception and stuff now anyway! Get that back to working order first.
This nonprofit website is run by volunteers.
Please contribute if you can. Thank you!
Our mission is to provide everyone with access to large-
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
©2023 HumbleCat Inc • HumbleCat is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Michigan, USA.